2015 Press Releases

Valley reps launch state delegation working group

Feb 18, 2015

The Valley’s four state representatives have agreed to work together along with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber in an effort to identify and advance the community’s legislative priorities during the 2015-16 Ohio General Assembly.

The Valley’s four state representatives have agreed to work together along with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber in an effort to identify and advance the community’s legislative priorities during the 2015-16 Ohio General Assembly.

The Valley State Delegation Working Group held its first meeting in January at the Regional Chamber’s offices. The group consisting of State Reps. Ron Gerberry, D-Austintown, Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, Sean O’Brien, D-Bazetta, and Michael O’Brien, D-Warren, announced that they will attempt to expand their reach by inviting the Valley’s state senators and the Ohio House member from Columbiana County. The group would then include State Sens. Joe Schiavoni, D-Austintown, and Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, and State Rep. Tim Ginter, R-Columbiana.

“The more our elected officials can work together, the more they will accomplish for the Valley,” said Regional Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs and Media Guy Coviello. “The Chamber is happy to be a part of the process. There will be issues on which we don’t agree, but there will be plenty of issues important for our community and on which we do agree.”

Some of the issues preliminarily identified are workforce development, drug addiction (especially as it relates to workforce development), Ohio’s Common Core education standards, and preparing Valley communities for the possibility of a state capital budget as well as a state capital budget for the arts.

“Establishing an ongoing dialogue among the leaders of this region will help ensure that we advocate effectively for Valley priorities,” Lepore-Hagan said. “Together we will work to attract new jobs and bring our hard earned tax dollars back to our community.”